Harlan County

Harlan County is a county in southeastern Kentucky spanning mountainous terrain with deep valleys and forested slopes. Black Mountain in the east reaches 1,263 meters and marks the highest natural point in the state.

The county was formed from Knox County in 1819 and named after a pioneer who fell in the late 18th century. During the 1930s, intense labor battles between miners and mine owners made this place known across the nation.

The name comes from Silas Harlan, an early settler who fell at the Battle of Blue Licks. Many place names across the county recall the mining era, when small communities formed around coal shafts and family surnames became tied to particular hollows.

The rugged landscape requires care on secondary roads, which often climb steeply and wind through valleys. Mobile phone reception may be weak in remote areas, so noting directions beforehand helps.

Near Bledsoe, rock shelters used by Native Americans were found in 1923, leading to the creation of the anthropology department at the University of Kentucky. This archaeological site helped deepen understanding of early settlement in the Appalachians.

Location: Kentucky

Inception: January 28, 1819

Capital city: Harlan

Shares border with: Perry County, Letcher County, Wise County, Lee County, Bell County, Leslie County

Website: https://harlancountyclerk.com

GPS coordinates: 36.86000,-83.22000

Latest update: December 12, 2025 23:07